Duke senior Emmie Le Marchand and freshman Savannah Story will blog for Duke field hockey throughout the 2013 season, providing fans with an inside look at life with the Blue Devils. Look for the Duke True Blog throughout the fall on GoDuke.com.

Hello my fellow DUFHers,

Last weekend’s away trip was a special and long-awaited one for so many of our Duke family. With 12 team members coming from the Northeast and half of them hailing from Jersey as their home turf, we hoped a trip to Princeton and Rutgers would bring fans in abundance. We were not disappointed!

Invading the Princeton campus were friends and families and high school coaches, NYC based alumnae Tara Jennings and Laura Suchoski, national team player Stefanie Fee and even freshman Hunter’s famous and freshly-shaved labradoodle, Razzle Dazzle. The next day the family atmosphere continued with a 20 minute trip to senior Grace’s house for a few hours of relaxation in the form of delicious steak, US Open tennis and deer watching over dinner. There is no underestimating the refreshing impact of even just a few hours in a real house to break up the claustrophobic bustle of life on a college campus.

Our trip ended on Sunday with the best tailgate I have ever experienced in my time as a DUFHer. Spread out in the Rutgers’ car park was a picnic feast complete with generator powered crock pots of meatballs, red velvet birthday cake for Mr. Rescigno and sophomore Sarah Urdahl, and a maze of coolers housing every post-game drink imaginable. Reflected in the size and quality of our tailgates, this Duke family is continuing to grow and our appreciation of them is never waning. We are incredibly lucky to have, surely, one of the most dedicated and enthusiastic families in the country.

This week we return to Jack Katz Stadium and are eager to make it our fortress! After a comprehensive opening weekend on this field, the team will be looking to continue what we hope to be a season-long undefeated run at home against William and Mary on Friday and old rivals Old Dominion on Sunday.